Rumors are Swirling About the Return of the Toyota Stout
The small truck market is heating up, and it seems unlikely Toyota will sit on the sidelines for much longer. Should Toyota bring back the Stout?
At the moment, Toyota is riding high. Dealers are selling the all-new 2022 Tundra just as fast as they can get their hands on them, and loads of folks are already looking forward to the next-generation Tacoma. Historically, both have prove to be fierce competitors in their respective segments. But with the addition of the Ford Maverick to the Blue Oval’s lineup, and other unibody options — like the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz — courting the small truck market, it seems like Toyota is leaving money on the table.
That said, it doesn’t seem like passing over a whole segment is sitting well with the Toyota brass. Back in June, our friends at Motor Trend revealed that a new small truck was being contemplated, which has lead to rumors that the company will revive the old Stout nameplate. Whether it comes to fruition, of course, likely depends on several factors. Not the least of which is whether America’s appetite for small, urban-focused trucks proves to be a flash in the pan or a long-term trend. So Toyota is likely watching Maverick sales like a hawk.
If Toyota did decide to release a Maverick competitor, the smart money says it would be based on the TNGA-K platform, which currently underpins vehicles as diverse as the Avalon, Camry, RAV4, and Sienna. Since industry experts also think that some degree of electrification is a must, using that platform would also make it easy to give it a hybrid powertrain, and possibly, allow for all-electric driving.
Now, whether Toyota will enter the fray remains anyone’s guess. But as 2023 looms, the possibility of a new small truck seems more and more likely. So on that note, what do you think Toyota needs to do to make the next-generation Stout — or another small truck — competitive in the segment? Is it a hybrid powertrain with all-electric capabilities? Or would some neo-retro styling be enough to do the trick? Hit me up and let me know!
Photos: Toyota